Repurposing
America's Energy Past
to Power Its Future
Level Up Capital Partners is working to repurpose abandoned oil and gas wells into geothermal energy systems in Wyoming's Powder River Basin — turning environmental liabilities into clean energy assets and domestic lithium resources.
About
Level Up Capital Partners
Level Up Capital Partners, LLC is a Wyoming-based company pioneering the repurposing of abandoned oil and gas wells into high-performance geothermal systems. We combine proven legacy infrastructure with proprietary technologies to create clean energy assets and recover critical minerals.
Our current DOE-funded characterization project evaluates two complementary sites in Wyoming's Powder River Basin: Salt Creek–Meadow Creek and the North PRB anomaly. Successful results will enable commercial development of 1–2 geothermal well clusters targeting 5–10+ MW of clean baseload power per cluster, with co-production of domestic lithium.
Dual-Site Wyoming
Geothermal Program
Dual-Site Wyoming Geothermal Resource Characterization & Confirmation
A two-site geothermal characterization program in Wyoming's Powder River Basin. Site 1 — Salt Creek–Meadow Creek (Natrona County) — is the primary target, with a documented thermal gradient and existing oil and gas well infrastructure. Site 2 — North PRB anomaly — is a secondary target with elevated lithium concentrations in produced brine. Activities include brine chemistry sampling, well logging, capacity appraisal, and materials testing.
Advanced Materials-Enabled Direct Lithium Extraction from Geothermal Brine
Demonstration-scale validation of an integrated system combining proprietary high-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings, hybrid nanofluid sorbents, and supercritical CO₂-compatible process design to extract battery-grade lithium and other critical minerals from geothermal brine produced by existing and repurposed oil and gas wells in the Wyoming Powder River Basin.
Proprietary Technology &
Materials Innovation
LevelUP-HEA™ High-Entropy Alloy Coating
A patent-pending laser-clad high-entropy alloy coating applied to well casing and process equipment. Provides corrosion and scaling resistance in hot, saline brine environments, extending operational lifespan and reducing maintenance requirements.
LevelUP-NanoDLE™ Hybrid Nanofluid
A patent-pending nanofluid that simultaneously enhances heat transfer and selectively extracts lithium from geothermal brine in a side-stream process. This dual-function approach reduces equipment footprint and operational complexity.
Coaxial Closed-Loop System Design
Optimized coaxial closed-loop well design with advanced proppants and supercritical CO₂ circulation. Together with the HEA coating and NanoDLE nanofluid, this creates a more efficient and durable system than conventional geothermal approaches.
Repurposing America's Energy Past
to Power Its Future
Demand for 24/7 carbon-free energy is growing. Power buyers, corporations, and the federal government are seeking reliable, dispatchable clean power to meet climate goals, reduce costs, and ensure grid stability. Geothermal energy is uniquely positioned to deliver exactly that — always-on baseload power that complements solar and wind while providing flexible, resilient electricity.
The Problem
Traditional geothermal development has been limited by high costs, technical barriers, and dependence on rare natural hydrothermal resources. Only a fraction of America's vast geothermal potential has been realized. At the same time, the United States has approximately 3.7 million abandoned oil and gas wells — environmental liabilities leaking methane and contaminating groundwater across the country.
Our Approach
Level Up Capital Partners is pioneering the repurposing of abandoned oil and gas wells into high-performance geothermal systems. By combining proven legacy infrastructure with our patent-pending technologies — LevelUP-HEA™ and LevelUP-NanoDLE™ — we are turning environmental liabilities into clean energy assets and lithium resources in Wyoming's Powder River Basin.
From Demonstration to Commercial Scale
Our current DOE-funded characterization project at two complementary sites in Wyoming's Powder River Basin will validate the technology and de-risk the pathway forward. Successful results will enable commercial development of 1-2 geothermal well clusters of approximately 15 wells each, targeting 5-10+ MW of clean baseload power per cluster while producing significant quantities of domestic lithium.
Our Commitment
Through transparent community engagement and strong partnerships with the University of Wyoming, state agencies, and industry leaders, we are committed to responsible development that delivers lasting benefits to the regions we serve. All project data will be made publicly available through the DOE Geothermal Data Repository.
Lower Capital Costs
Reusing existing wellbores dramatically reduces upfront development costs compared to drilling new geothermal wells.
Dual Revenue Streams
Power generation and critical mineral recovery from the same infrastructure creates two independent revenue sources.
Reduced Environmental Footprint
Repurposing abandoned wells reduces surface disturbance and addresses existing environmental liabilities.
Job Creation
Local Wyoming contractors, geologists, and engineers are engaged for site work, well logging, and field operations.
Wyoming First.
Then the American West.
Our current work is focused on Wyoming. Successful demonstration results will enable commercial development of 1–2 geothermal well clusters in the Powder River Basin, targeting 5–10+ MW of clean baseload power per cluster with co-production of domestic lithium. Further expansion would follow.
Wyoming — Powder River Basin
Dual-site geothermal characterization program in the Powder River Basin. Salt Creek–Meadow Creek (Site 1) and North PRB anomaly (Site 2). Submitted under FOA DE-FOA-0003472, Topic Area 6. Period of performance: September 2026 – December 2028.
American West — Expansion
If the Wyoming project confirms viable geothermal resources, Level Up plans to evaluate additional sites first in Wyoming, then across the American West — each project building on the data, partnerships, and IP established in prior deployments.
Public Benefits &
National Impact
This project directly supports the U.S. Department of Energy's GeoVision goals to expand geothermal energy, strengthen critical mineral supply chains, and make productive use of existing energy infrastructure.
"By demonstrating that abandoned wells can become productive geothermal assets, Level Up Capital Partners is opening a new chapter in America's clean energy story — one that strengthens energy security, creates jobs, and accelerates the transition to a decarbonized grid."
— Level Up Capital Partners, LLC
The Team
Level Up Capital Partners is led by two experienced operators with complementary backgrounds in technology commercialization, field operations, and capital formation.
James Walsh
Principal Investigator & Co-Founder
Serial entrepreneur and inventor with over 45 years of experience founding and directing R&D-intensive programs from concept through commercialization. Holder of multiple patents in quantum AI and pending patents in geothermal-related systems. Founded Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate and established the first U.S. cocoa genetics research program in partnership with Hershey Foods. Through Senex Corporation, developed large-scale agricultural infrastructure across Mexico, Trinidad, the Philippines, and Hawaii — including deep water wells, electrical grids, and workforce training programs supporting thousands of farmers.
Currently serves as Executive Chairman of KIMO Inc. (OTCQB: KIMO), Chairman of Mind Over Matter AI, and Chairman of Inner State Inc. (OTC: INNR). Founding member of the Badger Angel Capital Network at the University of Wisconsin. Former Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee at DGSE (NASDAQ).
Thomas P. Smith
Project Manager & Co-Founder
Results-oriented executive and systems architect with over 30 years of experience designing and scaling complex engineering, manufacturing, and field-operational platforms. Co-founded Axon Enterprise (formerly TASER International, NASDAQ: AXON) and served as President & Chairman from 1993 to 2012, scaling the company from a startup to a global leader with 350+ employees and multi-billion-dollar market capitalization — deploying technology to 17,200+ law enforcement agencies across 100+ countries. Co-recipient of the 2002 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with 10,000+ flight hours. Active energy investor with direct experience identifying and guiding energy-related projects through technical, regulatory, and operational challenges. Currently serves as President & Director of KIMO Inc. (OTCQB: KIMO). M.B.A., Northern Arizona University; B.S. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona.
News &
Updates
Full Application Submitted — DE-FOA-0003472
Level Up Capital Partners submitted its Full Application to the U.S. Department of Energy under FOA DE-FOA-0003472 (Next-Generation Geothermal Field Tests and Geothermal Resource Characterization and Confirmation), Topic Area 6. The application covers a dual-site geothermal characterization program in Wyoming's Powder River Basin, targeting the Salt Creek field and a secondary North PRB site.
LOI Submitted — Critical Materials Processing NOFO
Level Up Capital Partners submitted a Letter of Intent to the DOE for the Critical Materials Processing NOFO, proposing an advanced materials-enabled Direct Lithium Extraction system to extract battery-grade lithium and critical minerals from geothermal brine in Wyoming's Powder River Basin. The project leverages proprietary LevelUP-HEA™ coatings and LevelUP-NanoDLE™ sorbent technology.
LOI Submitted — Wyoming Geothermal Characterization
Level Up Capital Partners submitted its first Letter of Intent to the U.S. Department of Energy under FOA DE-FOA-0003472, identifying the Salt Creek–Meadow Creek anomaly in Natrona County, Wyoming as a high-priority geothermal resource characterization target. LOI deadline: March 27, 2026.
Partner With Us
on the Energy Transition
We are open to inquiries from investors, technical partners, state agencies, and potential offtake partners with interest in geothermal energy development in Wyoming and the American West.